Can Dwight Howard find way to Nets?

Dwight Howard reportedly has told new Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan he wants to be traded to the Nets, although the Magic aren't saying if there's merit to the story.

Dwight Howard (12) has one year left on his deal with the Magic, who owe him $19.5 million for the upcoming season.

Magic spokesman Joel Glass confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that a meeting between Howard and Hennigan took place Friday in Southern California, but Glass would not disclose what was said at that meeting, first reported by ESPN.

Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, and Howard's manager, Kevin Samples, did not immediately return messages from the Sentinel for comment. Neither did Hennigan.

Howard is under contract to be paid $19.5 million for the upcoming season. Magic CEO Alex Martins has said the team will not go into the season with uncertainty about Howard's long-term future. Apparently, team officials are prepared to trade Howard, if necessary.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets also are interested in obtaining Howard, Yahoo! Sports reported.

Howard would have become an unrestricted free agent Sunday, but on March 15, Howard waived the early termination clause in his contract.

The day before, he and Fegan were on a conference call with members of the DeVos family, including Magic owner Rich DeVos, in which DeVos told Howard he would be traded if he did not waive his early termination option.

According to ESPN, Howard has said the Magic "blackmailed" him into waiving the opt-out clause, and either Howard or a member of Howard's camp approached the NBAPA to ask the union whether he had a legal case against the Magic. ESPN also reported that the union has no plans to pursue a claim against the team.

The Nets, meanwhile, are among several teams talking to the Atlanta Hawks about trading for guard Joe Johnson, should Brooklyn be able to re-sign point guard Deron Williams, Yahoo! Sports reported.

A source familiar with Williams' plans told ESPN the veteran will meet with the Dallas Mavericks this afternoon prior to his evening appointment with the Nets.

The Hawks would get the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams from the Nets for Johnson (who is owed $90 million over the next four seasons), the network reported, adding the Hawks would rather have Nets guard MarShon Brooks included in the package.

Dwight Howard (12) has one year left on his deal with the Magic, who owe him $19.5 million for the upcoming season.

Magic spokesman Joel Glass confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that a meeting between Howard and Hennigan took place Friday in Southern California, but Glass would not disclose what was said at that meeting, first reported by ESPN.

Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, and Howard's manager, Kevin Samples, did not immediately return messages from the Sentinel for comment. Neither did Hennigan.

Howard is under contract to be paid $19.5 million for the upcoming season. Magic CEO Alex Martins has said the team will not go into the season with uncertainty about Howard's long-term future. Apparently, team officials are prepared to trade Howard, if necessary.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets also are interested in obtaining Howard, Yahoo! Sports reported.

Howard would have become an unrestricted free agent Sunday, but on March 15, Howard waived the early termination clause in his contract.

The day before, he and Fegan were on a conference call with members of the DeVos family, including Magic owner Rich DeVos, in which DeVos told Howard he would be traded if he did not waive his early termination option.

According to ESPN, Howard has said the Magic "blackmailed" him into waiving the opt-out clause, and either Howard or a member of Howard's camp approached the NBAPA to ask the union whether he had a legal case against the Magic. ESPN also reported that the union has no plans to pursue a claim against the team.

The Nets, meanwhile, are among several teams talking to the Atlanta Hawks about trading for guard Joe Johnson, should Brooklyn be able to re-sign point guard Deron Williams, Yahoo! Sports reported.

A source familiar with Williams' plans told ESPN the veteran will meet with the Dallas Mavericks this afternoon prior to his evening appointment with the Nets.

The Hawks would get the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams from the Nets for Johnson (who is owed $90 million over the next four seasons), the network reported, adding the Hawks would rather have Nets guard MarShon Brooks included in the package.